Travel Times’ Shane Cullen flew to Club Med Magna Marbella for a 3-night press trip in April 2024 to experience all the destination has to offer travellers.
This Club Med is an all-inclusive resort in Andalusia. At the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains, the resort is set on 12 acres of terraced gardens with commanding views of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
Described as a “Green Oasis in Andalusian Style”, the 3-night trip enabled Shane to test the extensive active sports offering at the resort including the relatively new sport of Padel.
Getting There – Direct Flights from Dublin to Malaga
Direct flights from Dublin to Malaga operate daily with Shane travelling with Aer Lingus for the 3-hour flight. Transfer time to the resort was 45 minutes. Car hire and the quality of the road infrastructure mean navigating the region is easy. It is less than a 10-minute drive to the old town of Marbella and 15 minutes by car to the beach (cycle in 10 or walk in 30 minutes).
Gateway to Andalusia
Nicolas Bresch (Managing Director, UK & Nordics – Club Med) explained, ”For us, the Club Med in Marbella is really the best getaway to Andalusia to visit the surrounding area but also to reconnect with yourself, being able to enjoy activities on your own but also reconnect with your loved ones through a right variety of activities.”
The Original All-Inclusive Holiday Concept
“The purpose of life is to be happy. The time to be happy is now. And the place to be happy is here.” stated Gérald Blitz, who officially founded Club Med in April 1950. Interestingly, he was the inventor of the “all-inclusive” holiday concept.
Club Med today operates 71 resorts, two-thirds of which are 4T and Luxury 5T Resorts (T for tridents which would be similar to star rankings). The range also includes cruising on the 5-mast Club Med 2 sailing ship and inspired luxury tours with Circuits Dcouverte by Club Med.
Club Med is a global leader in premium all-inclusive holidays for families and active couples and has over 70 worldwide resorts in stunning locations including Mauritius, Brazil, Bali, the Caribbean, Japan, China and the Maldives.
Club Med Magna Marbella
Club Med Magna Marbella reopened it in 2020. It is a resort that Club Med operated back in the 1970s and they returned to Andalusia as it is a destination for everybody given the sun, culture and location.
The resort has c. 500 rooms and a broad range of activities catering to all ages, which is what Club Med is all about. Their mantra is “Happy kids make happy, happy parents.”
Happy Kids Make Happy, Happy Parents
Children under 6 stay free at Club Med sun resorts and those under 4 stay for free at Club Med ski resorts. Club Med prides itself on its family focus with its aim to make it easy for families to gather together on holidays – activities very much for all ages, dining options for little ones, rooms designed for families and extensive kids clubs.
- Baby Club Med™ – For ages 4 – 23 months (added charge)
- Petit Club Med™ – For ages 2 – 3 years
- Mini Club Med + – For ages 4- 10 years
- Teens Club Med – For ages 11- 13 years
- Chill Pass Club Med – For ages 14- 17 years
At the resort there is a very sizeable family fun zone, showcasing how families are at the heart of the offering, there is a paddling pool and shallow pool (from April to early November) and an extensive kids club area with family excursions, family circus, mini club med shows. There is even baby-sitting on offer as well as stroller loans.
Make a Splash with Five Pools at the Resort
There are five pools to enjoy at Club Med Magna Marbella including the main Lagoon swimming pool at the heart of the complex, a freshwater indoor and outdoor pool next to the Club Med Spa (open from May to November & adult-only).
There is also a luxurious and spacious Spa by Cinq Mōndes from Paris which, they explain “offers deep regeneration of the body and mind with treatments and products inspired by beauty rituals around the world”.
From Tennis to Flying Trapeze and now Padel
Padel was properly launched in 1974 by Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg who was also famed for turning the Spanish fishing village of Marbella and the Costa del Sol into a holiday resort destination.
The prince loved the sport and set up the first padel club. Padel then grew in popularity and since 2014, Padel has been managed by the French Tennis Federation.
Padel is an energetic and intense sport which features elements of tennis, squash, badminton and pelota. At the resort, the instructors provided lessons and organised tournaments so everyone can get involved. It’s fast, fun and easy to follow if you’ve played tennis or squash before.
Club Med Magna Marbella has 6 padel courts and a training centre. The facilities are designed for “the beginner”, “the expert”, “the passionate one”, “the occasional one” and “the traditional” – so there is something for everyone.
Guests have unlimited free access to the training centre and courts. With Club Med’s family focus, this is an all-ages sport with kids able to play too. The resort offers Mini Club Med (from age 6) and group lessons for kids aged 11 upwards as well as lessons for adults. Padel rackets and balls are provided so all you need are suitable shoes.
Club Med Magna Marbella has a wide range of activities including Padel tennis and flying trapeze plus lots of traditional sports. Furthermore, Club Med offers fitness classes for all levels and group lessons in golf, tennis, padel, flying trapeze, swimming, fitness and archery.
Food with French Heritage & Local Spanish Cuisine
Club Med Magna Marbella offers two types of restaurants, a buffet and an a la carte. Both have indoor and outdoor dining with the terrace offering al fresco dining with commanding views of the sea and countryside.
The restaurant offers an international buffet and local delicacies with chefs preparing gourmet dishes in front of diners. Unlike a standard buffet, the dishes are constructed and plated for guests, a wonderful version of buffet dining. Each meal I ate was flavourful and tasty. Furthermore, it is all prepared to a very high standard.
There is no limitation to the amount of times guests can opt for the a la carte but dining here requires a reservation. While not a large menu, the food was exceptional. Starters included steak tartar and bruschetta with mains such as duck, seabream or gnocchi. The duck was so good on Wednesday evening, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to order it again on Friday.
There is also the Rouge Bar, the main bar in the heart of the resort is open daily for fresh drinks, cocktails, and spirits. In the evening, this spot has entertainment and a party atmosphere.
In addition, opt for a refreshing drink or light bite in Bar Sierra Blanca or check out the Wine Bar where the Club Med sommelier will guide guests through the selection of wines.
Stunning Seaviews from Spacious Rooms
The rooms are modern and spacious, offering stunning views of Marbella, the Andalusian countryside as well as the Mediterranean Sea. The generous balconies provide an idyllic spot to soak up the sunshine.
